Abstract

A severe systemic inflammatory response is usually seen after burn injury. IL-18 enhances the Th1 immune responses in bacterial andviral infections. In order to evaluate the IL-18 serum levels as well as IL-6 and TNF-α at the 48th hour postburn, serial serum samples of 8 burned patients were analyzed. 8 moderately burned patients were included into the study. Serum samples were taken at admission at the 48th hour of postburn. IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α serum levels were analyzed. Total mean burned surface area (TBSA) was 24.6±5.7% and mean BMI (body mass index) was 24.5±3.4. The patients' age ranged from 17 to 38 (mean 26.3±7.4) years. An increase in sera
IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α was detected at the 48th hour postburn (P<.0001). All patients survived. A marked increase in serum levels of IL-18 as well as the other cytokines evaluated was observed in the moderately burned patients. These three parameters were highly correlated with each other (r>0.9 and P<.001). This is the first study that shows an increase in serum IL-18 levels at the early postburn period.